Postgraduate study
Edinburgh: Extraordinary futures await.

General Surgery (Online Learning) ChM (General Surgery)

Awards: ChM (General Surgery)

Study modes: Part-time

Online learning

Funding opportunities

There is no doubt that this programme has led to a significant improvement in my clinical ability. The ChM in General Surgery is taught by consultant surgeons who are proven trainers and experts in their field.

Darren Porter ChM General Surgery Graduate 2018
Darren Porter               ChM General Surgery Graduate 2018

This two-year, part-time masters programme is offered jointly by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the University of Edinburgh, and is taught entirely online. Both institutions have combined well previously to deliver an award-winning Master’s programme to support early surgical training, and continue to serve as a powerful brand in surgery.

You will be taught by experienced tutors – all leading clinicians in their field – and you will have access to well-defined and managed learning resources and educational material, including an unparalleled online library facility.

Illustrative cases will cover technical skills and procedures as well as core knowledge and clinical skills.

Our online learning technology is fully interactive, award-winning and enables you to communicate with our highly qualified teaching staff from the comfort of your own home or workplace.

Our online students not only have access to Edinburgh’s excellent resources, but also become part of a supportive online community, bringing together students and tutors from around the world.

Studying online at Edinburgh

Find out more about the benefits and practicalities of studying for an online degree:

Based on the UK Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum, this programme allows you to select advanced modules that match your declared subspecialty, and supports your study towards the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) examinations.

Year 1

Compulsory modules will cover the basic elements of subspecialties, for instance, emergency surgery and critical care including the assessment and the pre-/peri-/post-operative care of the surgical patient.

These modules will be taught and assessed using a clinical problem-based approach, supported by systems-based review of the course material.

Year 2

Academic modules will explore research and teaching methodology, whilst enabling students to develop the ability to analyse published evidence and enhance their interactive and written clinical communication skills. Students will also have the opportunity to complete an academic research project in Year 2, for example, Original research or a Systematic Review in a relevant area of work. Following completion of the programme, students are encouraged to seek publication of their study in a peer-reviewed journal.

Students are supported throughout the programme through asynchronous discussions with e-tutors who are all leading clinicians in their field. Students also have access to a large learning resource, including subscriptions to key online books and journals.

Semester dates for the academic year 2024-2025

These are key dates in the academic year, which vary slightly from year to year.

  • Welcome Week: 16 September 2024
  • Term 1 starts: 23 September 2024
  • Term 1 ends: 16 December 2024
  • Term 2 starts: 6 January 2025
  • Term 2 ends: 31 March 2025
  • Term 3 starts: 7 April 2025
  • Term 3 ends: 27 June 2025

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

AwardTitleDurationStudy mode
ChM (General Surgery)General Surgery2 YearsPart-timeProgramme structure 2023/24

The ChM provides advanced training for surgeons preparing for the intercollegiate fellowship examination and those approaching consultancy.

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A medical degree (MBChB or equivalent) recognised by the General Medical Council.

Should have also acquired MRCS (or equivalent assessment milestone).

UK applicants must be an Advanced Trainee in General Surgery (UK ST5 or greater).

Candidates outside the UK should have equivalent experience.

Surgeons who have a consultant or career grade post (or equivalent) in General Surgery are also eligible for entry.

Students from China

This degree is Band D.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

  • IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
  • PTE Academic: total 62 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Tuition fees

AwardTitleDurationStudy mode
ChM (General Surgery)General Surgery2 YearsPart-timeTuition fees

The University of Edinburgh offers a small number of scholarships to outstanding candidates. These are very competitive. We publish data on the success rate for scholarship applications to help you understand the level of demand.

(Revised 18 March 2024 to remove 'Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships' information) 

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK's governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

  • your programme
  • the duration of your studies
  • your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

  • ChM Programme Administration
  • University of Edinburgh, ESSQ Office Room G10/G11
  • Simon Laurie House, 196 Canongate
  • Central Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH8 8AQ
Programme start date Application deadline
9 September 2024 23 August 2024

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

You must submit one reference with your application.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

Further information

  • ChM Programme Administration
  • University of Edinburgh, ESSQ Office Room G10/G11
  • Simon Laurie House, 196 Canongate
  • Central Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH8 8AQ